The March family lives in a small New England community. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March are raised in genteel poverty by their loving mother, Marmee, while their father serves as chaplain during the American Civil War. Jo at fifteen is ungainly, unconventional, and enterprising, with an ambition to be an author. Meg, a year older, is pretty and wishes to be a lady. Beth is a delicate child of thirteen with a taste for music. Amy is a blonde beauty of twelve. The story explores their domestic adventures, their attempts to increase the family’s small income, their friendship with the neighboring Laurence family, and their later love affairs and destinies as women.

Listener Opinions

Shari | 2/20/2014

" I enjoyed this book. You learn more about the characters than the movies show. I always thought it was an interesting contrast to Gone With the Wind. How different the Civil war affected those living in the North and those living in the South. "

Elise | 2/19/2014

" My dad read this to us during December for a number of years. Nostalgic and lovely for me to re-read and remember. "

Cindi Reese | 2/16/2014

" This is one of the best books I have ever read and it's a timeless classic. I highly recommend this book to young women because you related to one or all the characters in this book. "

Lanita | 2/15/2014

" What a sweet, refreshing, and wholesome read. I couldn't help but think of my 3 sisters, of our different personalities and of the way our dear mother raised us. "

Teresa | 2/15/2014

" Beautiful imagery. Both of terrible loss and despair of that loss. But also great triumph of over coming great adversity and challenges. A must read for anyone who loves a novel full of true human emotion. One of the best coming of age novels and one of the most honest for girls. I first read it when I was 10 years old, and have read it 4 times since then. It is a true classic. "

Ken | 2/11/2014

" Thought this would be a chick book, but turned into an insightful view into the female mind circa late 19th century US. Some sage wisdom tucked into these pages. "

Gwendolyn Adams | 2/10/2014

" One of my favorites of all time. Growing up with all sisters, I love comparing our lives. "

Felicity | 2/4/2014

" zzzzzzzzzz... "

Bertiesugar | 1/30/2014

" Was recommended to read it, but it is not my cup of tea "

Josilyn | 1/30/2014

" It's easy to see why this is a timeless classic. Louisa May Alcott's tale of four sisters growing up while their father is away to war is a series of life lessons about love, wealth, friendship, and family. The tales of Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth amused me, and taught me to appreciate what I have in my own life. The only qualm I have is that, being written in the nineteenth century, the style is a bit pompous and archaic, but the story is so charming and heartwarming that I didn't really mind. For once, this is a classic that I didn't have to read for English class, but I wish I did, because this is actually enjoyable, and still relevant to everyone growing up today. "

Susan Bailey | 1/28/2014

" Don't be fooled by the cover - it doesn't begin to tell the story. This is a gorgeous oversized edition (measuring 9" x 10" x 2") with an elegant choice of typefaces, filled with color plates, letters written by Louisa and her publisher Thomas Niles and commentary on each page which enhances the reading experience. Shealy introduces the book with an interesting essay about the extensive revisions made to the text between its original publication in 1868 and the revised version in the 1880s. In many respects the revisions were a response to negative criticism about the slang Alcott used throughout the book being a poor example for children! Fortunately Shealy uses the original text which is more vibrant and real. A second essay includes photos of each of the main players from the Alcott family. Alcott drew from the deep well of her personal life to bring Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, Marmee and Laurie to life. Shealy includes analysis of the era, fascinating anecdotes and great trivia. If you love Little Women, you will want this edition as a keepsake to pass down to children and grandchildren. "

Fiorella Cecilia | 1/26/2014

" One of my favorite books, every girl had a special gift.... And shows that everyone is special and to embrace it "

Gina | 1/19/2014

" Total melodrama, but a glorious look into an older time with different traditions and values. This was my grandmother's book that I loved to death. I always wanted to be Jo. I must go back and remember why. "

Anie | 1/15/2014

" Another childhood re-read. There's no way to get around the fact that this is a very, very preachy book. Immensely preachy. I didn't notice it as a child, but certainly do now. (Of course, since it's a childhood re-read, I'm rather well-disposed to ignore said preachiness.) "

Tracy | 1/15/2014

" I read this as a girl and thought Jo was annoying and the littlest sister needed a good slap. And why shouldn't Meg have worn her best dress first? "

Janet | 1/14/2014

" OMG it was so long ago I can't remember! "

Bob Young | 1/2/2014

" A lovely read that pulled me in more than I expected it would...long live Jo March... "

Rupertt Wind | 1/2/2014

" Simple and amiable. Its a beauty to read and no doubt deserving to be a classic. "

Shawn Dvorak | 1/2/2014

" This was surprisingly entertaining, given that it was the vaguely autobiographical tale of Louisa May Alcott and her three sisters during the early 19th Century, and was written as a morality story for girls. "

Ellie | 12/27/2013

" An endearing story that never dies. "

Peggy Wardrup | 12/23/2013

" my all time favorite book! "

Margaret Skea | 12/21/2013

" Great story, except, probably like many other readers, I disagreed with LM Alcott's choice of husband for Jo... "

Mala Moragain | 12/8/2013

" This is a story that my Mother read to me as a child, so it's a personal favorite! I am so blessed to have been raised in a home of literature!!! And this book is one of those tales you carry with you forever! "

Tracey | 12/4/2013

" Librivox edition (mostly) through Craftlit "

Melissa Smith | 12/3/2013

" This book is so old-fashioned and out-dated(or just a study in a different time period.) but I'm reading it to my daughter and remember why it was one of my favorites in elementary school. "

Anne Neal | 11/26/2013

" Loved it. My mum read it to me when I was a child and I have now done the same with my daughter. What a beautiful, heartwarming, sad story. Jo is by far my favourite character. "

Leah Shelton | 11/12/2013

" Beautiful new cover art - but I'm struggling with the internalized sexism and the way Alcott occasionally uses her characters as a vehicle for the Temperance movement in a way I didn't notice when I first read (and loved) this book as a kid. "

Georgia Flanagan | 11/5/2013

" I read this book years ago, it is one of my favorites. I believe every young girl should experience Little Women! "

Susan Miller | 10/26/2013

" Can't believe that Jo didn't want to marry Laurie and Amy did. "

Bookworm1976 | 10/24/2013

" Another one that I can slip in to anytime, any place. A book that I am sure Jo would recommend reading whilst eating apples. "

Shawn Dvorak | 9/2/2013

" This was surprisingly entertaining, given that it was the vaguely autobiographical tale of Louisa May Alcott and her three sisters during the early 19th Century, and was written as a morality story for girls. "

Amanda | 7/5/2013

" One of my favorite books. "

Gwen Snavely | 6/19/2013

" I'm sorry but this book is soooo slow, and in my opion, unrealistic. I don't think anyone would be that content with being poor, and I don't think it's possible to be that happy all the time. "

Ann Gaines Rodriguez | 6/6/2013

" I still remember so much of this book! And Little Men! That's why I think it rates five stars. "

Danielle Dunton | 5/23/2013

" A classic that I used to read over and over again. I will never tire of this book. "

Yeammy Torres | 4/8/2013

" A beautiful story about four sisters with very different personalities trying to develop their lives during wartime in USA. "

Alli Mcelvany | 4/7/2013

" This is one of my favorite classics!!!! I love this book so much! It is a great book for people who dont like to read and read. It's a story of 4 girls and them growing up with some trials and blessings. "

N Perez | 1/16/2013

" I read the book because I was intrigued. A classic but, I thought it was too long and slow at times but a good example of Christian principles and values as well as family unity. "

Sunandha | 12/5/2012

" I am sure every girl out there who has read the book will be able to relate to one of the characters in the book. For me it was George.. What about you guys?? "

Fatface Waitakere | 12/2/2012

" Beautifully gentle book which, thugh about the loneliness of a family deprived of their father as he's fighting in the Civil War, is never dark or melancholic. Each daughter is painted so well you almost feel they could be your friends. "

Beth | 11/30/2012

" I'm named after Beth in this book. I know, she dies. Take it up with my mom. "

Christena Rulli | 11/28/2012

" Just like all of Dicken's books, Little Women is one that I have read several times over the years. It's one of those books that your thoughts on certain issues change as you reread it and as you get older. It's a classic that is parallel to Jane Eyre and Jane Austen's novels. "

Debra | 11/25/2012

" I have always really enjoyed this book - except that Amy will drive me crazy every time! "

Sabrina Messenger | 10/16/2012

" Top notch. Anyone who doesn't like this story has no soul! A delightful story set in the mid 19th Century but which people living in the 21st century can still relate. I would've loved to have had the March family as my next door neighors with their warm, love and slight non-conformity. "

Lisa Nunberg | 10/2/2012

" I've read this book about 5 million times, it's been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl!! "

Lanie | 9/22/2012

" I didn't finish it, because I took a break one day, and never came back, but I liked all that I read, and recommend it as an easy classic "

Maluz Quiroz | 7/3/2012

" This book just make a lot of feelings came out of my chest, it's one of those light books that make you laugh, cry and believe in good things happening, is the perfectly way to spend a few hours all relaxed with a cup of coffee "

Eleanor | 5/31/2012

" I liked this book when I first read it when I was 9 and I still like it now. Only problem is that I know the story so well i know what is going to happen next. I loved how I felt like I was so similar to Beth! "

Natalia Taylor | 2/21/2012

" I couldn't even read the first half. It's sooo SLOW!! Sorry, just my opinion. "

Jocelyn | 1/27/2012

" It was okay. Think I enjoyed it more in high school. "

Jessica De Lellis | 12/23/2011

" I loved this book. It was seriously one of the best books I've ever read. My AP English teacher called it "elementary", but it really wasn't. This book changed my life. For an "elementary" book it's deep. This book is also very relatable. I think everyone, both boys and girls,should read this book. "

Jordan | 12/13/2011

" This my favorite book..I have ever seen this before!!:) "

Kristen | 11/8/2011

" What an author Louisa May Alcott was. The story is timeless...what a beautiful story of family love.
"

Hannah | 11/7/2011

" by far, my favorite classic, just because of the simple stories about the lives of simple girls growing up.
for a modern version, check out:
The Year I Turned Sixteen
by Diane Schwemm
"

Louisa | 11/5/2011

" Few books are timeless, but I think this one qualifies. The messages of being true to oneself and the vale of friendship through a lifetime need to be told and retold.
"

Toni | 11/4/2011

" An abridged retelling of the classic story along with illustrations, photographs and historical facts that allow a young reader an insight into Louisa May Alcott's time and place.
"

" I've read this book every four or five years for forty years, and it's still my favorite book of all time. If you love it too, tell me other books you love almost as much.
"

Melissa | 10/27/2011

" I love this classic about girls growing into women. Good lessons to be learned throughout the story. I think every girl should read this sometime in their life.
"

Kerry | 10/23/2011

" Another classic read!! I didnt think it was the best book, I was a little bored through a huge part of it. I tried to read it once before but gave gave up but this time I WAS going to get through it. It wasnt my cup of tea!!
"

Other Titles by Louisa May Alcott:

About the Author

Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Educated by her father until she was sixteen, she also studied under Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Theodore Parker. A prolific writer, her most famous work was Little Women, a timeless American classic.

About the Narrator

Jamie Lee Curtis is an actress and author of children’s books. She has received an Emmy Award nomination and two Golden Globe Awards. Her 1998 book, Today I Feel Silly, andOther Moods That Make My Day, made the New York Times bestseller list.

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